For the Greencastle-Antrim varsity baseball team, the upcoming spring season offers a clean slate after a disappointing finish a year ago, when the Blue Devils lost nine of their final 10 games en route to a final record of 8-12, consequently missing the playoffs following a 7-3 start.

This time around, G-A welcomes back an experienced core group of players, graduating only two starters (Denver and Denton Cordell) while boasting a healthy collection of speed, power and pitching.

Now, it's a matter of translating potential into results, something head coach Eric Shaner is hopeful will unfold in the coming months.

"Our expectations never change," said Shaner, who enters his third year at the helm. "We expect to compete for a state championship. That's what drives us to be the best that we can be. On paper, we have the talent. We now have to show that on the field."

As for the late-season slide last spring, Shaner intends to use it as motivation moving forward.

"Last year can act as a lesson for us," Shaner said. "We needed to look in the mirror as both coaches and players after the way we finished. Our guys seem to have a different hunger about them this year, so hopefully that continues. We're definitely excited to see what happens."

Of the 15-man roster, 13 took the field at the varsity level last season, with a few new additions believed to be capable of making immediate contributions.

Back for his third year as G-A's starting shortstop, Hunter Szaflarski enters his final varsity campaign as a solidified staple in the middle of the infield and at the top of the order, already recognized as one of the area's premiere players following his selection to the Mid-Penn Colonial Division First Team a season ago.

Szaflarski also spent last summer critiquing his craft as a member of the Mid-Atlantic Red Sox, one the elite high school showcase teams on the East Coast.

"Hunter has only gotten better," Shaner explained. "We're expecting big things from him this year and he's expecting big things of himself. He's going to be a key part of everything that we're doing."

Joining Szaflarski as part of a veteran senior class are the likes of Adam Moore, Cam Chilcote, Holden Baker, Danny Stepler and Josh Young, each of whom are presumed to shoulder significant roles this spring.

"We've had some guys really step up so far," Shaner said. "These seniors have been a part of this program for a few years now, so they know what we're trying to accomplish."

Moore will bolster the middle of the batting order, accompanied by the junior duo of Ashtin Byers and Jake Crist, providing G-A with plenty of power to complement its speed from top to bottom.

Page 2 of 2 - Baker returns as a consistent difference maker at both third base and the plate while Chilcote and Stepler will anchor the outfield and the bottom-half of the order.

After injury concerns hampered his sophomore campaign, Ryan Ricci is expected to serve as the Blue Devils' ace, headlining a pitching rotation seemingly equipped with depth.

Young and Justin Hovey are projected to follow Ricci in the starting rotation, with Jesse Beeler and Kurt Hansen also slated to work their fair share of innings.

The wildcard will be the arm of freshman Myles Gayman, who impressed Shaner enough to earn a varsity spot in his first year of eligibility.

"I feel like we're pretty set with pitching," Shaner said. "We have some guys that can be outstanding every time they go out, it's just about finding consistency. Ricci has looked great and our other guys now have some experience. We brought Myles up, who I think has the ability to be a really special player for years to come."

The Blue Devils open the season on Monday under the lights at Hedgesville, Md. Game time is set for 7 p.m.